12/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/17/2024 22:00
Pro Mujer celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of community health workersin Chimaltenango, as part of the project "Credit, Preventive Health, and Digital Capabilities to Empower Women Microentrepreneurs," made possible thanks to the partnership with IDB Lab.
A total of 60 entrepreneurs completed the 200-hour training program, where they acquired essential knowledge in first aid, nutrition, weight control, screening, blood sampling, and blood pressure measurement. The program also provides them with equipment to bring basic health services to communities that have historically had limited access to these resources.
The graduation marked the beginning of community health activities that Pro Mujer will carry out in the departments of Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, and Chimaltenango, with a focus on entrepreneurial women who live or are experiencing a vulnerable situation. In addition, a strategic partnership was established with Cabrini Guatemala, which facilitates access to low-cost medical treatments for beneficiaries, thus reinforcing the availability of affordable and quality health solutions.
"This graduation marks a milestone in our commitment to empower women and strengthen community health in Guatemala. The Volunteer Community Health Workers are an example of the transformative impact that can be achieved when we provide women with tools and knowledge to lead change in their communities," said Denia Eunice Del Valle Barrera, country representative of Pro Mujer.
These types of programs are of great value to women as they allow them to empower themselves through different learning experiences. "I am very happy to be part of this group of volunteer health workers. We are training to learn how to inject, channel, and perform screenings, skills that will not only benefit our families but also our neighbors who need support," shared Yasmín Zamora, one of the program participants.
With great enthusiasm, a second call scheduled for February 2025 was announced; it will be carried out in collaboration with INTECAP. This new cohort will include a technical module specializing in health care and will continue to be free of charge, benefiting entrepreneurs who have already participated in other of its initiatives.
In 2025, the volunteer health workers are expected to reach more than 1,500 women, with a total goal of 4,000 by 2026. This initial achievement represents a milestone in Pro Mujer's commitment to women's empowerment, the promotion of preventive health, and the improvement of quality of life in Guatemalan communities. The event was a reflection of the transformative power of female leadership in building a more equitable and healthier future.
About Pro Mujer
Pro Mujer is an organization that, for over 34 years, has provided services and tools to women in Latin America to help them reach their full potential, improve their living conditions, and become change agents for their communities. It operates through a holistic and comprehensive model that seeks to expand access to health services for women in the region, increase their financial inclusion, and provide them with training opportunities.
The efforts of Pro Mujer are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and deliver tangible results in eight of those SDGs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 16.
More information available at www.promujer.org